Hydrangea Plant named &#39;BC7.13&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Hydrangea macrophylla  (Thunb.) named ‘BC7.13’ originated as a controlled cross between varieties. The cultivar ‘BC7.13’ can be blue or red depending on the acidity of the soil and the presence of aluminum. The variety ‘BC7.13’ has compact, attractive inflorescences with relatively large sepalous florets, attractive sepal pigmentation, and stems that branch easily and are relatively strong. When grown without aluminum, the upper sides of the sepals of the sepalous florets are primarily R.H.S. 61 B (red-purple group) and the under sides of the sepals are R.H.S 70 C (red-purple group).

BOTANICAL CLASSIFICATION

Hydrangea macrophylla (Thunb.) ‘BC7.13’

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘BC7.13’

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of the Saxifragaceae family. The botanical name of the plant is Hydrangea macrophylla (Thunb.) ‘BC7.13’.

The new cultivar originated as a seedling from a controlled cross between the unpatented variety ‘LK49’, which was the pollen parent, and a commercial variety known as ‘Benedict’ to the inventor, which was the seed parent. ‘LK49’ is relatively compact plant with wiry stems, relatively small leaves, relatively small sepalous florets, and inflorescences that are resistant to being damaged by conditions in commercial coolers.

The variety ‘BC7.13’ has compact, attractive inflorescences with relatively large sepalous florets, attractive sepal pigmentation and stems that branch easily and are relatively strong. This combination of characteristics makes the plant ideal for commercial production as an ornamental potted plant. Below is a table comparing the new variety to similar varieties. The variety ‘BC7.14’ is the subject of a current patent application and is a cross between parents ‘LK49’ and the commercial variety known to the inventor as ‘Venedig’ which may be an alias for the patented variety ‘Venice Raven’—U.S. Plant Pat. 10,928. ‘BC7.14’ was treated with aluminum to produce a blue pigmentation. The new variety was grown alongside ‘Venedig’ (grown as a pink variety) as a control.

TABLE 1 Commerical variety Currently ‘Venedig’ Currently Patent which may Patent Pending be U.S. Pending Variety Plant Patent Variety ‘BC7.14’ 10,928 New New 13/135,034 ‘Venice Raven’ Variety Variety blued with Grown without ‘BC7.13’ ‘BC7.12’ aluminum aluminum Leaf size 9 cm × 16.5 cm 9 cm × 16.5 cm 8 cm × 13.5 cm Unknown Plant 18″ in 6″ pot. 17″ in 6″ pot. 14″ in 6″ pot. 12″ in 6″ pot- height observed controls grown alongside new variety. Stem Stems are Stems are Strong Strong-observed strength relatively strong. controls grown strong. alongside new variety Sepal Upper side of Upper side of Upper side of sepals Upper side of sepals Pigmen- sepals is R.H.S. sepals is R.H.S. is R.H.S. 94 A is R.H.S. 74 C (red- tation 61 B (red- 67 A (red- (violet-blue group) purple group). Under purple group); purple group); to 86 B side of sepals is Under side of Under side of (violet group); Under R.H.S. 75 B (purple sepals is R.H.S. sepals is R.H.S. side of sepals is group) observed 70 C (red- 68 A (red- R.H.S. 93 D (violet controls grown purple group). purple group). group) to 86 C alongside new (violet group). variety. Sepalous 65 mm 60 mm 50 mm 50 mm-observed Floret controls grown Size alongside new variety

The new cultivar ‘BC7.13’ has been successfully asexually reproduced under controlled environmental conditions at a nursery in Half Moon Bay, Calif. under the direction of the inventor with its distinguishing characteristics remaining stable.

Asexual reproduction was first accomplished when vegetative cuttings were taken from the initially selected plant. Examination of asexually reproduced, successive generations grown in Half Moon Bay, Calif. show that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for ‘BC7.13’ remains firmly fixed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings consist of color photographs that show the typical plant form, including the inflorescence, foliage, and sepals.

FIG. 1 is a view of the entire plant showing its form, growth habit, dark green foliage, inflorescence, and the color of its sepals.

FIG. 2 is a view of the entire plant showing its form, growth habit, dark green foliage, inflorescence, and the color of its sepals.

FIG. 3 is a close-up view of the adaxial surface of a mature leaf.

FIG. 4 is a close-up view of the base of the stem.

FIG. 5 is a close-up view of the upper side of a panicle of the new variety.

FIG. 6 is a close-up view of the center of a panicle of the new variety.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANT

The plants shown in the figures are approximately 50 weeks old. The plant started out as cuttings, taken from the stem of a grown plant. The cuttings were placed in a pot and the soil was periodically fertilized. The plant was pinched early to promote lateral branches.

‘BC7.13’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary significantly with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity and day length. Color determinations were made with The Royal Horticultural Society (R.H.S.) Colour Chart, in association with the Flower Council of Holland, located in Lieden.

-   The plant:     -   -   Origin.—Controlled cross. The new cultivar originated as a             seedling from a controlled cross between the commercial             variety known to the inventor as ‘Benedict’ which was the             seed parent, and the unpatented variety ‘LK49’, which was             the pollen parent.         -   Form.—Upright, compact shrub. A typical plant with a mature             inflorescence that is ready for sale is approximately 18″             high and has a diameter of 15″ when grown in a 6″ pot with             appropriate soil amendments. Plants typically have 4 to 6             stems with one inflorescence between each stem.         -   Growth.—Upright, vigorous growth habit. Inflorescence is             large. The plant branches easily with shoots forming at the             base of the plant. Lateral branches are similar in             appearance and form to the main stems.         -   Stems.—Lenticels are present. Lenticels are R.H.S. 86 A             (violet group) and are 1 to 4 mm long. The surface of young             stems is glabrous. Stems become woody as they age. The color             of typical young stems and young lateral branches is R.H.S.             144 A (green group). The older portions of the stems are             R.H.S. 199 B (grey-brown group) Younger portions of the             stems are 6 mm in diameter. Older portions of the stems are             6 mm in diameter.         -   Foliage.—Abundant. Leaves are opposite on stem and lateral             branches. Shape of leaf. — Elliptic with acute base and             apex. Margins are serrate. Texture. — Glabrous; veins             dominate on the underside of the leaf and are sunken on the             upper leaf surface. Color. — Mature leaves have an upper             side that is R.H.S. 147 A (yellow-green group), and an under             side that is R.H.S. 138 B (green group). Leaves are             pinnately veined. The midvein and veins branching off the             midvein are large and prominent on the underside of the             leaves. Veins are R.H.S. 138 B (yellow-green group). Leaves             are as wide as 8 cm and 11 cm long. Petioles are smooth and             2 to 3.5 cm long and 3 mm wide. Petioles are R.H.S. 138 B             (yellow-green group). -   Buds:     -   -   Form.—Globose with 4 to 5 connate, elliptic, smooth petals             for both sepalous and non-sepalous buds. Buds in the center             of the inflorescence are non-sepalous. The buds ringing the             outside of the inflorescence will develop into sepalous             florets. Buds are approximately 1 mm by 1 mm when very             young. Buds can be 4 mm in diameter and still unopened.             Color of buds is R.H.S. 73 A (red-purple group).         -   Aspect.—Smooth.         -   Arrangement.—Borne on branched panicles. -   Inflorescence:     -   -   Form.—Paniculate. Terminal. As many as 100 individual             flowers (florets) per inflorescence. Both sepalous florets             and non-sepalous florets borne on same panicle. Flowers do             not produce a fragrance. The peduncle for the inflorescence             is strong and upright. Non-sepalous florets in the center of             the panicle develop early on cymes that are later hidden by             the sepalous florets. Florets, both sepalous and             non-sepalous, have anthers and style. Inflorescences are             long-lasting, changing color as they age.         -   Size of inflorescence.—Compact and somewhat flat. Individual             inflorescence size is dependent on the number of florets. A             typical inflorescence can grow as large as 8″ in diameter,             and 4″ high.         -   Shape.—Clusters of numerous small florets; sepalous florets             overlap one another. Sepals are persistent.         -   Appearance.—Showy. -   Florets:     -   -   General.—The non-sepalous florets at the center of the             inflorescence open first. Sepalous and non-sepalous florets             are perfect and complete. Corolla: Generally, for both             sepalous and non-sepalous florets the petals fall off as             flower matures. Petals are typically 4 mm long and 3 mm             wide. Petals are R.H.S. 73 A (red-purple group). Lenticels             that are very small are present on pedicels of both sepalous             and non-sepalous florets. Lenticels are R.H.S. 59 B             (red-purple) group. Pedicel of both sepalous and             non-sepalous florets are primarily R.H.S. 68 A (red-purple             group) when inflorescence is ready for commercial sale.             Pedicels of non-sepalous florets are 4 mm long, and pedicels             of sepalous florets are up to 20 mm long.         -   Stamens.—8 to 10 stamens. Pollen is R.H.S. 155 C             (yellow-white group). Plant produces abundant pollen.             Filament is R.H.S. 77 A (purple group) and 2 to 3 mm long.             Anther is 1 mm long and is regular and basally attached.         -   Stigma.—Two style each. Each style has one stigma. Style is             typically 2 mm long. For young inflorescences ready for             commercial sale style is R.H.S. 77 A (red-purple group) and             stigma is R.H.S. 67 A (red-purple group).         -   Ovary.—Ovary is partially inferior.         -   Sepalous florets.—General. — Veins dominate on the underside             of the sepals. Number of sepals. — 4 sepals per floret.             Aspect of sepals. — Smooth and glaucescent. Shape of sepals.             — Reniform with acuminate apex. Edges are entire, but with             crenation. Size of sepals. — As the florets mature, the             sepals enlarge and overlap each other more and more, until,             often, there is no space between the sepals when the petals             of the florets open. Sepals at maturity are typically 44 mm             long and 40 mm wide. Flowers are typically 6.5 cm in             diameter. The upper sides of the sepals are primarily R.H.S.             61 B (red-purple group) and the under sides of the sepals             are primarily R.H.S. 70 C (red-purple group).         -   Fruit.—none.         -   Disease and pest resistance.—unknown. 

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct Hydrangea macrophylla plant named ‘BC7.13’ substantially as herein shown and described. 